Eye Strain Break Timer

WHAT IT DOES

Eye Strain Break Timer tracks your screen time and reminds you to rest your eyes using the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. When the timer reaches zero, the tool displays a full-screen overlay with a countdown timer, a suggested eye exercise, and a "Done" button to confirm you have taken your break. This helps reduce digital eye strain, prevent dry eyes, and maintain healthy vision during long screen sessions. The tool is designed for people who spend extended periods on computers, whether for work, study, or entertainment.

WHERE IT RUNS

This extension works on any website across the entire web. It functions on work documents, social media, news sites, coding environments, and any page where you spend extended periods of time. The tool works across all domains and adapts to single-page applications and dynamically loaded content.

HOW TO USE

Install the extension and navigate to any website. A timer starts counting down from your configured break interval (default 20 minutes). When the timer reaches zero, an overlay appears with a countdown and a suggested eye exercise. Follow the exercise and click "Done" when finished — the timer resets and the countdown begins again. Use the overlay panel to configure the break interval (default 20 minutes), break duration (default 20 seconds), toggle eye exercise suggestions on or off, and choose between overlay or notification display. Toggle the tool on or off for the current site, or click "Take Eye Break Now" to manually trigger a break at any time.

TECHNICAL SECTION — 20-20-20 RULE TIMER ENGINE

The extension uses a setInterval-based timer that tracks the remaining time until the next eye break. The timer runs continuously as long as the extension is enabled for the current site, with the remaining time displayed in the status area of the panel. When the timer reaches zero, the extension triggers the break reminder. If the overlay is enabled, a full-screen modal is created using DOM methods, displaying the break duration countdown (default 20 seconds) and a randomly selected eye exercise from a curated list of eight exercises. The overlay automatically closes after the break duration expires, and the timer resets to the full interval. If overlay is disabled, a GM_notification is shown instead, and the timer auto-resets after the break duration. Both timer and overlay operations are designed to be non-blocking, allowing you to continue browsing during the break.

THE PANEL — DRAG / PER-SITE POSITION / SNAP / COLLAPSE / RESIZE / ESCAPE

The overlay panel is fully interactive and designed for seamless multitasking. Drag it anywhere on the screen using the handle at the top of the panel; the position is saved per site so it stays where you left it across sessions. The panel includes a snap-to-edge feature that gently anchors the overlay to the nearest screen edge when released. Click the collapse button to minimize the panel to a compact pill showing the next break countdown; expand it again with a single click. Resize the panel vertically by dragging the bottom-right corner to view more controls. Press the Escape key at any time to instantly close the overlay; it reappears on the next page navigation or refresh.

PLEASE NOTE

This extension requires the free BotGentz companion extension to function, as it provides the underlying content script injection and cross-origin communication framework. No personal data, browsing history, or eye break data is stored, transmitted, or shared. Settings are stored locally in your browser using GM_setValue and are never sent to any external server. The extension does not access or store login credentials, financial data, or personally identifiable information. The 20-20-20 rule is a general recommendation and should not replace professional medical advice. If you experience persistent eye strain, consult an eye care professional. The timer is based on real-time clock ticks and may drift slightly if the browser tab is backgrounded or the system is under heavy load. The overlay is a gentle reminder, not a strict enforcement tool — you can always dismiss it and continue browsing. Notifications require GM_notification support in your browser and may not work in all configurations.